The journey through my vocational calling has been
As a church, we are responding appropriately. Conversation
intentional. My desire to follow Jesus Christ and allow his
as a church to be intentional with our ministry has led us to
existence to permeate my life has developed prayerful proactive begin four new theme-based Sunday school classes for all ages.
discernment. God provides the necessary time and space for
We are going to begin the AWANA ministry for our children
me to discern how to minister to and with the local church.
starting January 2018, which will be led by numerous children’s
At times I experience great clarity with many details while
leaders and our new family minister, Megan Hager. We also have
other times I see only a single minute detail to guide me as a
completed training for the Stephen Ministry which will begin
faithful follower.
Fall 2018. We believe this program of care is vital for our church
Many minute details created great clarity and led me to hear
and community.
the call to pastor at Jersey, Lexington, in January 2016. My
We have experienced prayerful intentionality through
wife, Lauren, and I were open to see that God was guiding an
our Wednesday evening church-wide ministries. When I first
imminent transition for our family during 2015. That healthy
began my pastorate, Wednesday evenings were composed of a
vulnerability merged with an openness from Jersey as they
sparsely attended prayer meeting and Bible study. Last summer,
healthily searched for a new
we revisioned. Wednesday
pastor.
evenings now begin with
My wife says, “The
a meal, a Bible study, and
health of a church is in part
then a church-wide local
determined by how intentional
mission project on the first
the people are concerning
and second Wednesday of
the ministries of the church,
each month. On the third
making sure they are current
and fourth Wednesday,
and contextual.” Jersey’s
children and youth mission
by Matt Riggsbee, Senior Pastor, Jersey, Lexington
intentional interim period, led
groups meet. Our mission
by Don Durham, was a time
project team coordinates
of healthy, honest reflection on
with local organizations for
the past while focusing on the
these mission project nights.
future through the Holy Spirit’s guidance. This time allowed the
We have worked with the local pregnancy center, assisted living
church to concisely understand its own values and consolidate
centers, senior centers, schools, local fire and EMS stations, the
them so the church’s priorities were also clearly understood.
local prison, hospital, and Operation Christmas Child.
Prayer, conversation, persistence, and faith helped the church
The church members are enthusiastic. Andie Smith says,
trust that God was providing a vision for the future which would “It is exciting to see all the age groups involved in missions on
be different than ever before.
Wednesday evenings.” Tim Trantham adds, “The movement [from
Pastor Search Committee member Becky Myers said, “(My)
the church] is what excites me.” The church ministering together
main prayer and request was that, while the church was searching with and to our community provides the foundation that allows us
for the person God wanted to be our pastor, he/she would be a
to faithfully embrace the transitions.
Spirit-filled servant.”
I agree with David Penninger who says, “Continued prayer
I try to be sensitive and respond appropriately to the Holy
will be one of the largest needs as we move into the future [in a
Spirit. Jersey is comprised of believers who live the same way.
healthy manner].”